Casuarina and Carroll Creek Tracks

Starting at Davidson Park, this walk first explores the eastern banks of Middle Harbour Creek before heading up Carroll creek. The walk returns to Davidson Park via the higher Casuarina track. You will enjoy great views of the Middle Harbour and Garigal National Park from two distinctly different vantage points. There are also interesting rock formations and some Aboriginal heritage to appreciate along the way.

Davidson picnic area

Davidson Picnic Area is in Garigal National Park, under Roseville Bridge (access via Warringah Road, south bound lanes, or via many walking tracks in the area). The picnic area has a boat ramp, wheelchair-accessible toilets, large open grassy areas, picnic tables, free electric BBQ’s, and a large rotunda. There are plenty of shady spots provided by the trees. The northern section of the picnic area has a small beach swimming area, and the southern section boasts a boat ramp. The park is open 6am to 8pm (6:30pm outside daylight savings time). Ticket machines are provided to pay the car access fee.

(0km) Bottom of the Casuarina Steps → Int of the Lyrebird Track and end of Davidson Park Driveway

280 m

5 mins

2m

-4m

Very easy

From the intersection at the bottom of the ‘Casuarina Stairway’, this walk follows the driveway, keeping the park and Middle Harbour Creek on the left. The walk heads along for little while before coming to the end of the driveway, at the signposted start of the ‘Lyre Bird Track 4km’.

(0.28km) Int of the Lyrebird Track and end of Davidson Park driveway → Int of Lyrebird and Carroll Creek tracks

2.7 km

48 mins

54m

-46m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the gate at the north-western corner of Davidson Park, this walk follows the ‘Lyrebird Track’ sign through the metal gate and along the service trail, heading through the bush and following Middle Harbour Creek for a while before the track narrows to a bush track at a long grassy clearing.Continue straight: From the clearing at the end of the management trail, this walk continues along the bush track, keeping Middle Harbour Creek on the left as it meanders along the water’s edge for a while. The track climbs up the side of the hill, then flattens out and continues through the bush, steadily winding down to the edge of Carroll Creek, which it follows for a while before the track comes down to the signposted intersection of the ‘Carroll Creek Track’ at the stepping stones.

Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Carrol Creek Track’ sign along the bush track, winding through the dense vegetation as it follows the creek for a while. The walk winds under a long rock overhang and continues up to the bottom of a concrete staircase and a metal bridge. (The track doesn’t cross the bridge but does have quite a pretty view of Carroll Creek.) From here, the track turns right and climbs the concrete staircase to the end of the management trail at the top.

Hard track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Casuarina Track’ sign, following the bush track as it winds up the side of the hill for a while. The track flattens out and passes under a long rock overhang, then continues to wind up the hill until it comes to a large rocky outcrop. Here, the walk flattens out for a little while before undulating up and down along the side of the hill for a while, before coming to the base of a large high-tension power line tower.

Hard track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Casuarina Track’ signpost along the bush track, heading around the large power line tower (keeping the tower on the left of the track) and down the steep rocky hill. The track crosses under the power lines before flattening for out a short distance, continuing along the rough track as it undulates up and down along the side of the hill, crossing a few rock platforms and a creek. As the track continues along the side of the hill, it becomes more defined and easier-going, passing under a short rock overhang and down one last rocky hill before flattening out and continuing to the lookout at the top of the Casuarina Stairway.

(6.84km) Casuarina Lookout → Bottom of the Casuarina Steps

130 m

2 mins

0m

-9m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the lookout, this walk heads down the long wooden staircase descending to the bottom of the hill where it comes to Davidson Park.

Maps for the Casuarina and Carroll Creek Tracks walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Casuarina and Carroll Creek Tracks

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

Length

7 km

Time

2 hrs 30 mins

.

Grade 4/6

Hard track

AS 2156.1

Gradient

Very steep (4/6)

Quality of track

Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)

Signs

Directional signs along the way (3/6)

Experience Required

Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)

Weather

Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Infrastructure

Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

3.7km of this walk has short steep hills and another 1.9km is flat with no steps. The remaining (1.4km) is very steep.

Quality of track

3.4km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 3.2km follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely. Whilst another 280m follows a smooth and hardened path and the remaining 130m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

Around 4.8km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 2.2km is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

Around 4.2km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 2.8km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 7km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 6km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 1km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Casuarina and Carroll Creek Tracks walk.

Fire Danger

http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_fire_danger.php?walkid=nsw-gariganp-cacct
Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.

Weather Forest

This walk starts in the Metropolitan weather district always check the formal BOM forecast or pdf before starting your walk.
http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_weather_danger.php?walkid=nsw-gariganp-cacct
Forecast snapshot